Rottweiler Dog Breed Profile
Description: The Rottweiler is a large, muscular
dog that weighs between 80 and 130 pounds. The Rottweiler
dog stands 24 to 27 inches at the withers, and the bitch
will usually be 22 to 25 inches. The Rottweiler has
a strong, broad head with a scissors bite. The body
is deep and powerful. The usual coat color for the Rottweiler
is black with tan markings on the face, muzzle, chest,
and legs. A lighter color variation occurs, red with
brown accents, occurs more rarely. The Rottweiler has
a life span of 10 to 12 years. It is also called the
Butchers Dog.
History: The history of the Rottweiler is rather
fascinating as it extends back to the days of the Roman
Empire. The Roman legionnaires had to travel with large
herds of cattle to feed themselves while they were on
campaign, and the progenitor of the Rottweiler was used
to herd the cattle. One of the legion's stops was the
town of Rottweil in Germany and it was here that the
Roman dogs bred with the local dogs. Many of the dogs
stayed behind when the legions moved and breeders in
the town developed the breed. Later, Rottweilers were
used by butchers to protect and herd cattle. When railroads
came into being, the breed nearly died out from lack
of purpose, but the Rottweiler soon found new work as
a police, guard, or draught dog.
Temperament: A well-bred Rottweiler is generally
a calm and loyal dog. It is extremely loyal, affectionate,
and protective of its human family. The dog's owner
must be dominant, the Rottweiler must be subordinate
to its master. Unfortunately, careless breeding, poor
socialization, and lack of exercise or work can lead
to an unstable and aggressive dog. The Rottweiler is
good with its owner's children, but should be closely
supervised around other children.
Health Issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia are major
health concerns with the Rottweiler. It can also suffer
from eye problems and spinal paralysis. The popularity
of the Rottweiler has caused too much inbreeding and,
besides issues of mental stability, has caused an increase
in heart disease and cancer. Stomach torsion, or bloat,
can occur in this breed, as it can in almost any large
dog. This calls for immediate veterinary treatment.
The Rottweiler is able to free whelp easily and will
often produce litters of 10 to 12 puppies.
Grooming: The hard coat of the Rottweiler can
shed quite a bit, so an occasional brushing will help
to control this situation. The Rottweiler tends to slobber
and drool, so the muzzle should be wiped when necessary.
Be sure to pay attention to the ears to keep them clean
and dry.
Living Conditions: As the Rottweiler is a fairly
quiet dog inside, it can live in an apartment. However,
it must be given sufficient exercise or work. This dog
began as a working dog and needs the mental and physical
stimulation of a "job" to maintain its stability. The
Rottweiler enjoys being near the people it loves, but
is capable of living and sleeping outside as long as
an adequate dog house is provided for it.
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